Solomon's Worship and Sacrifice
Jump to: SubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, is renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive building projects, most notably the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. His reign is marked by significant acts of worship and sacrifice, reflecting his devotion to Yahweh, the God of Israel.

Early Acts of Worship

Solomon's commitment to worship is evident early in his reign. After ascending to the throne, Solomon traveled to Gibeon, where the most significant high place was located, to offer sacrifices. The Berean Standard Bible records, "Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar" (1 Kings 3:4). This act of worship at Gibeon was a pivotal moment, as it was there that God appeared to Solomon in a dream, granting him wisdom and discernment (1 Kings 3:5-14).

The Dedication of the Temple

The pinnacle of Solomon's worship was the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem, a monumental event in Israel's religious history. Solomon's Temple, also known as the First Temple, was constructed as a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant and a central place of worship for the Israelites. The dedication ceremony was marked by an extraordinary display of sacrifice and prayer. According to the Berean Standard Bible, Solomon offered "22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep" as peace offerings to the LORD (1 Kings 8:63). This grand scale of sacrifice underscored the significance of the Temple as the focal point of Israelite worship.

During the dedication, Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of the entire assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. He prayed a profound prayer of dedication, acknowledging God's faithfulness and asking for His continued presence and blessing upon Israel (1 Kings 8:22-53). Solomon's prayer emphasized themes of covenant, repentance, and divine mercy, reflecting his understanding of the relationship between God and His people.

Solomon's Later Years

Despite his early devotion, Solomon's later years were marred by a decline in his spiritual fidelity. Influenced by his many foreign wives, Solomon's heart turned away from exclusive worship of Yahweh. The Berean Standard Bible notes, "His wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been" (1 Kings 11:4). This apostasy led Solomon to build high places for the gods of his foreign wives, which became a snare for Israel and contributed to the eventual division of the kingdom.

Legacy of Worship

Solomon's legacy in worship and sacrifice is complex. On one hand, he established the Temple as the central place of worship for Israel, a symbol of God's presence among His people. On the other hand, his later years serve as a cautionary tale of the dangers of syncretism and the importance of maintaining a pure devotion to God. Solomon's life and reign continue to be a subject of reflection and study for their profound impact on the religious and cultural history of Israel.
Subtopics

Purveyor for Solomon

Sarcasm of Solomon

Solomon

Solomon is Visited by the Queen of Sheba

Solomon: A "Type" of Christ

Solomon: An Ancestor of Joseph

Solomon: Anointed King a Second Time

Solomon: Beloved of God

Solomon: Builds Another House for Pharaoh's Daughter

Solomon: Builds his House, the Forest of Lebanon

Solomon: Builds his Palace

Solomon: Builds Idolatrous Temples

Solomon: Builds Millo

Solomon: Builds the Temple

Solomon: Cedes some Inferior Cities to Hiram

Solomon: Commerce of

Solomon: Covenant Renewed in a Vision After the Dedication of the Temple

Solomon: Death of

Solomon: Dedicates the Temple

Solomon: Divides his Kingdom Into Subsistence Departments

Solomon: Drinking Vessels of his Houses

Solomon: Extent of his Dominions

Solomon: Has Seven-Hundred Wives and Three-Hundred Concubines

Solomon: His Idolatry

Solomon: His Prayer for Wisdom, and his Vision

Solomon: His Purveyors

Solomon: His Rigorous Reign

Solomon: Imports Apes and Peacocks

Solomon: Ivory Throne of

Solomon: Justice of, Illustrated in his Judgment of the Two Prostitutes

Solomon: Marries One of Pharaoh's Daughters

Solomon: Military Equipment of

Solomon: Musicians and Musical Instruments of his Court

Solomon: Named Jedidiah, by Nathan the Prophet

Solomon: Officers of

Solomon: Oppressions of

Solomon: Piety of

Solomon: Plants Vineyards and Orchards of all Kinds of Fruit Trees; Makes Pools

Solomon: Porches of Judgment

Solomon: Presents Received By

Solomon: Prophecies Concerning

Solomon: Provides an Armory

Solomon: Receives Tribute (Taxes)

Solomon: Reigns for Forty Years

Solomon: Renews the Courses of the Priests and Levites

Solomon: Son of David by Bath-Sheba

Solomon: Succeeds David to the Throne of Israel

Solomon: The Splendor of his Court

Solomon: Their Influence Over Him

Solomon: Wealth of

Solomon: Wisdom and Fame of

Solomons Porch

Solomons Servants

Solomons Song

Related Terms

Preacher (27 Occurrences)

Ecclesiastes (1 Occurrence)

Affliction (120 Occurrences)

Obadiah (21 Occurrences)

Tanner (3 Occurrences)

Extract (2 Occurrences)

Dissolution (1 Occurrence)

Bath (13 Occurrences)

Solve (3 Occurrences)

Sand (40 Occurrences)

Saturated (3 Occurrences)

Synoptic

Empire (8 Occurrences)

Trinity

Punishment (417 Occurrences)

Proverbs (11 Occurrences)

Anthropomorphism

Everlasting (192 Occurrences)

Roman (26 Occurrences)

Retribution (14 Occurrences)

Kenosis

Normal (3 Occurrences)

Ulcer (8 Occurrences)

Obedience (61 Occurrences)

Parousia

Liquor (5 Occurrences)

Lye (4 Occurrences)

Water (4571 Occurrences)

Weak (102 Occurrences)

Wherever (107 Occurrences)

Wound (58 Occurrences)

Weaken (5 Occurrences)

Teach (172 Occurrences)

Teaching (372 Occurrences)

Test (105 Occurrences)

Tree (245 Occurrences)

Teacher (103 Occurrences)

Resolution (1 Occurrence)

Resolve (3 Occurrences)

Raisins (9 Occurrences)

Doubt (49 Occurrences)

Deposit (19 Occurrences)

Mind (615 Occurrences)

Milk (66 Occurrences)

Mixture (16 Occurrences)

Potash (1 Occurrence)

Precipitation

Bethabara (1 Occurrence)

Answer (2099 Occurrences)

Adah (8 Occurrences)

Shalman (1 Occurrence)

Spirit (706 Occurrences)

Steward (23 Occurrences)

Simply (27 Occurrences)

Suphah (1 Occurrence)

Salt (45 Occurrences)

After (10866 Occurrences)

Dyeing

Borrowing (1 Occurrence)

Dye (1 Occurrence)

Eschatology

Job (60 Occurrences)

Sea (4178 Occurrences)

Blasphemy (15 Occurrences)

Games (2 Occurrences)

Pekah (11 Occurrences)

Messenger (235 Occurrences)

Shebna (9 Occurrences)

Prayer (406 Occurrences)

Iscariot (11 Occurrences)

Ezekiel (4 Occurrences)

Mouth (534 Occurrences)

Matthew (5 Occurrences)

Numbers (136 Occurrences)

Apostles (79 Occurrences)

English

Christianity

Dead (580 Occurrences)

Solomon's (56 Occurrences)

Solomon's Workforce
Top of Page
Top of Page